2024 -- S 2981

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LC005777

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND

TAIWAN WHILE SUPPORTING ENHANCED BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN

AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Picard, Ujifusa, E Morgan, F. Lombardi, Rogers,
DeLuca, LaMountain, Britto, and Lawson

     Date Introduced: April 11, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a robust

bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership supported by our common

values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and a free market economy, that has resulted in

our countries now enjoying strong and enduring relations; and

     WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's 2nd-largest trading partner, and Taiwan

is the 8th-largest trading partner of the United States as of 2023, with United States trade in goods

with Taiwan totaling an estimated $127.4 billion. Taiwan was the 7th-largest consumer of

agricultural goods in 2023, totaling $3.7 billion, and a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between

Taiwan and the United States would result in even greater Rhode Island exports to Taiwan while

creating more jobs for the people of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The adoption of an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation

(ADTA) and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income between the

United States and Taiwan is currently under discussion in Washington and Taipei. The United

States has similar treaties with nations around the world, many of which do not enjoy as robust a

trading relationship with the US as Taiwan. Negotiating and concluding a tax agreement with

Taiwan could: facilitate US-Taiwan economic cooperation; strengthen US-Taiwan strategic

relations; and encourage other nations to increase their economic ties to Taiwan. The conclusion

of a US-Taiwan ADTA would remove tax barriers and create a sustainable environment for cross-

border investment and economic cooperation, and would foster greater investment by Taiwanese

industries in the US, creating jobs for Americans and securing supply chains for vital products,

including, but not limited to, semiconductors; and

     WHEREAS, The year 2024 marks the 45th Anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act

(TRA), Public Law 96-8 of the 96th Congress, which has acted as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan

relations to help maintain peace, security, prosperity and stability in the Western Pacific and to

promote foreign policy relations by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural,

educational and other interactions between the people of the United States and the people of

Taiwan; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan-Rhode Island bilateral trade continues to grow. In 2023, Rhode

Island's total exports to Taiwan reached $58 million, which included computer equipment, metal

processing products, basic chemicals, medical equipment, electrical equipment and components,

making Taiwan the 10th-largest export market for Rhode Island in the world. A Rhode Island

trade office in Taiwan would further increase bilateral trade exchanges and create more economic

benefits for the people of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island and Taiwan have mutually established a reciprocal driver's

license and enhanced a higher education exchange, and Rhode Island would welcome the

opportunity for even closer educational cooperation with Taiwan, such as signing a Memorandum

of Understanding regarding a K-12 education exchange; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island recognizes Taiwan's contribution to a broad range of global

issues, including Taiwan's inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health

Organization (WHO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is important for the best interest and safety of the

international community; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates Taiwan

on the election of Dr. Lai Ching-te as President and Hsaio Bi-khim as Vice President with their

inauguration being celebrated and commemorated on May 20, 2024, and encourages Rhode

Island's Executive Branch and Legislative Branch to promote and strengthen bilateral trade

relations with Taiwan, including considering the possible opening of a trade office in Taiwan, and

establishing an MOU to increase K-12 educational exchanges with Taiwan; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby supports Taiwan's participation in international

organizations and agreements, including the WHO, WHA, INTERPOL, UNFCCC, and ICAO,

while also supporting efforts to adopt a taxation agreement (ADTA) between the U.S. and

Taiwan; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of the

United States; the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States Congress; the Honorable Daniel

J. McKee, Governor, State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Tsai Ing-wen, President, Republic of

China (Taiwan); and Director-General Charles Liao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

in Boston.

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LC005777

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